Board of Education approves Model Wellness Policy
The South Dakota Board of Education has approved a Model
Wellness Policy for South Dakota’s K-12 schools. Federal law
requires all agencies that participate in the National
School Lunch Program to have a wellness policy in place by
the 2006-07 school year. (Learn about a Nov.
10 workshop designed to give you a jump start on developing
your school’s policy.)
Development of the Model Wellness Policy was led by the
South Dakota Department of Education. A panel of experts
representing organizations such as schools, child advocacy
groups and the health-medical community helped to create the
policy.
“Obesity is a major issue across the country as well as in
South Dakota,” said Dr. Rick Melmer, secretary of the South
Dakota Department of Education. “This policy gives schools a
starting point and a guide to developing their own
individualized policies that address nutrition and physical
activity.”
According to the South Dakota Department of Health’s 2003-04
School Height and Weight Report, nearly 32 percent of South
Dakota’s school children are overweight or at risk for being
overweight.
The new Model Wellness Policy focuses on three major areas:
nutrition education, physical activity and nutrition
standards. Schools may choose to use the policy as written
or revise it as needed to meet local needs and priorities.
They also may create their own policy, as long as it follows
federal guidelines.
As part of the federal requirement, schools must convene a
committee to develop their policy. Committee members must
include a food-service representative, administrator,
classroom teacher, student, school board member, and
community member or parent. The committee also may include a
school nurse, dietitian, medical professional and local
business representative.
A copy of the Model Wellness Policy is available
online.
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